New Zealand’s free-trade deal with India
On 22 December, New Zealand and India concluded negotiations on a free-trade agreement. 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India will see tariff reductions or be tariff-free. Wine from New Zealand – previously subject to a 150% tariff – will see tariffs decrease to 25% or 50% (depending on the value of the wine) over a 10-year period. India has also agreed to a ‘most favoured nation clause’ whereby any tariff advantage granted to another trading partner will automatically be extended to New Zealand. While New Zealand currently sees less than 0.1% of their wine exports go to India, this is expected to change with the new deal. Australia, who struck a similar deal in 2022, is the only other country that has such favourable terms for wine. The EU is hoping to conclude trade negotiations with India soon. Indian commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal was scheduled to visit Brussels yesterday and today.
Argentina rolls back wine regulations
I’m a bit late on the draw on this one; my apologies. On 6 November Argentina’s government passed a resolution reforming the powers of the National Institute of Viticulture (INV). 973 out of 1,207 wine-related regulations have been repealed. The INV will no longer govern the viticulture or production process of wine in Argentina. They will focus solely on ensuring that ‘wines are fit for consumption and have not been adulterated.’ There will be no more inspections of wineries, no production declaration documents and no transit permits required for fruit. Certification for origin, vintage and variety are now optional. The government of Argentina’s website states, ‘This reform puts an end to an oversized, costly, inefficient and bureaucratic regulatory scheme that for years hindered the development of one of Argentina’s main regional economies.’
Generally speaking, the wine industry might benefit from some deregulation – but I think this is a bit much. Producers no longer need to provide proof of origin, vintage or variety. The Winegrowers Association of Mendoza has expressed dissatisfaction, telling the Buenos Aires Herald that the axing of regulations could, ‘directly affect the minimum legal security that producers have to protect the real value of their product.’
Vitisphere reports that the Association of Wine Cooperatives (Acovi) and other professional organisations have filed a lawsuit to suspend the implementation of deregulation. Fabian Ruggeri, president of Acovi, was quoted saying that if regulations around origin and variety are eliminated, ‘all the traceability, information, and statistics we have in the sector would be lost. This certificate is the foundation of our wine industry, as it tells us precisely what we produce and allows us to implement public policies when necessary.’
French vintners allowed to sweeten wines
On 27 November the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) in France passed a resolution allowing AOCs to sweeten their wines. The regulation change applies to all colours of wines and sweetening can take place as soon as 1 November following harvest. Sweetening can bring residual sugar up to a maximum of 9 g/l and it is required to be carried out in the AOC of production with must, concentrated must or rectified concentrated must from the same AOC. The reasons for this change are supposedly to do with consumer tastes.
While this is a common practice – most New World wine regions legally allow sweetening of wine with must – both Julia Harding MW (who sent me the news) and I were surprised to see the INAO approve this change. I’m afraid I don’t think consumers are going to rush out and buy more French wines because they’re slightly sweet.
EU rules on de-alcoholised wine
Two months ago, I reported that the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee was considering new rules for the EU’s wine sector. Those rules were approved on 4 December and include more funds for producers in the case of natural disasters and disease or pest outbreaks, more funds to promote wine tourism and exports and new labelling regulations that require that de-alcoholised wine with less than 0.05% alcohol be labelled ‘alcohol-free’ and de-alcoholised wine with 0.5% or more be labelled ‘alcohol reduced’.
Italy, whose Ministry of Agriculture lagged behind on creating a legal framework for de-alcoholised wine, finally approved production of alcohol-free wines at the end of December.
New US dietary guidelines
On 7 January the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 were released. The long-awaited document includes less than a quarter page on alcohol. The message boils down to the header, ‘limit alcoholic beverages’. There is no mention of an upper limit on how many drinks per day an individual would be safe to consume.
Fist regenerative-certified Champagne winery
Finally, I’d like to congratulate Champagne Telmont on becoming the first Regenerative Organic Certified champagne producer. The champagne house has been pursuing this goal since 2021 when it launched its ‘In the Name of Mother Nature’ project and resolved to convert and certify all 25 ha (62 acres) of estate vineyard under ROC by 2025, convert partner vineyards by 2031 and reach net zero by 2050. This is no small feat. ROC is currently the most comprehensive sustainability certification available. It requires organic certification as a baseline and builds on requirements for animal welfare, social fairness and improving soil health. Farming this way is especially difficult in Champagne’s marginal climate. Congrats to Telmont!
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Photo at top courtesy Champagne Telmont.
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